NUR 2063 Pathophysiology Final Exam
2025 – Rasmussen University | Essentials
of Pathophysiology | Verified A+
Questions & Answers
1. What is the primary cause of cellular injury in hypoxia?
A. Excessive glucose metabolism
B. Lack of adequate oxygen supply
C. Increased calcium influx
D. Overproduction of free radicals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to cellular injury by depriving cells of oxygen, impairing
aerobic metabolism and ATP production, which disrupts cellular functions.
2. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with myocardial infarction?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis, characterized by preserved cell outlines, occurs in
myocardial infarction due to ischemia, primarily affecting solid organs like the heart.
3. What is the hallmark feature of apoptosis?
A. Inflammation and tissue damage
B. Random cell destruction
C. Programmed cell death
D. Cellular swelling
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is a controlled, programmed process of cell death that eliminates
damaged or unnecessary cells without causing inflammation.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia disrupts cardiac membrane potential, leading to arrhythmias by
altering repolarization, a common complication in clinical settings.
5. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance
B. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
, 2
C. Excessive glucagon production
D. Impaired glucose uptake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells,
leading to absolute insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH below 7.35 and a PaCO2 above
45 mmHg?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis occurs due to hypoventilation, causing CO2 retention,
which lowers pH and elevates PaCO2.
7. What is the primary cause of edema in congestive heart failure?
A. Decreased oncotic pressure
B. Increased hydrostatic pressure
C. Lymphatic obstruction
D. Capillary permeability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In congestive heart failure, impaired cardiac output increases venous
hydrostatic pressure, forcing fluid into interstitial spaces, causing edema.
8. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is associated with anaphylaxis?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity, mediated by IgE, triggers immediate reactions like
anaphylaxis through mast cell degranulation and histamine release.
9. What is the primary pathophysiological feature of asthma?
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
C. Pulmonary hypertension
D. Interstitial fibrosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible bronchial hyperresponsiveness, leading
to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and obstruction.
10. Which condition is most likely to cause left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Chronic hypertension
C. Right ventricular infarction
D. Tricuspid regurgitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, causing left ventricular hypertrophy
and eventual left-sided heart failure due to impaired pumping.